Arts and humanities encompasses the art discipline areas of visual art, music, theatre and dance. These areas are unified by the themes of production, history, criticism and aesthetics. In the arts and humanities the human need to create can be expressed kinesthetically, aurally, spatially or through interdisciplinary interpretation. The rich experiences and learning provided to students in Pennsylvania by quality teachers in the arts and humanities has produced nationally recognized artists.

All students in grades K-12 must be provided with instruction in all four arts disciplines: dance, music, theater and the visual arts.

Dance Education is a kinesthetic art form that satisfies the human need to respond to life experiences through movement of the physical being.

Music Education is an aural art form that satisfies the human need to respond to life experiences through singing, listening and/or playing an instrument.

Theatre Education is an interdisciplinary art form that satisfies the human need to express thoughts and feelings through written text, dramatic interpretation and multimedia production.

Visual Arts Education is a spatial art form that satisfies the human need to respond to life experiences through images, structures and tactile works.

Local school districts are responsible for creating written curricula in all content areas. The state Academic Standards outline the minimum skills and knowledge that students must have at the end of grades 3, 5, 8 and 12. School districts are responsible for assessing students in the arts and insuring that they are proficient in the standards in order to graduate.

The Standards Aligned System (SAS) is the Pennsylvania Department of Education's digital curriculum and instruction resource site. SAS is comprised of six distinct elements which provide a common framework for continuous student, teacher, and school and district growth. The elements are Standards, Assessment, Curriculum Framework, Instruction, Materials and Resources, and Safe and Supportive Schools.

The academic standards for arts and humanities, as well as resources for teaching and developing high quality visual art, music, theatre and dance education programs, is available on SAS.

Certification

Art and music are taught by certified art and music educators. Dance is taught by educators certified in health and physical education, and theatre is taught by educators certified in either communications or English.